Monastery Leça do Balio, Leça do Balio, Matosinhos

葡萄牙萊薩杜巴柳　修道院

Arquitecto Álvaro Siza Vieira

The Monastery of Leça do Balio has been a national monument since 1910. Álvaro Siza Vieira says that this renovation work "is a delicate project because it is next to a national monument and a church. The house, which used to be a monastery, was directly connected to the church. Then that connection was severed. In the 20th century, the house became a family home. I had no desire to restore the historical truth, but rather to work on the charm of the house and what exists from previous periods”. The Leça do Balio Monastery, is a beacon of worship and culture. This project, articulated by Álvaro Siza Vieira, is not merely an architectural endeavor; it's a dialogue between the monastery's storied past and a forward-looking vision that seeks to preserve and enhance its cultural and spiritual significance through contemporary architectural and urban solutions.

本案由建築師阿爾瓦羅．西扎．維埃拉操刀，對阿爾瓦羅而言，此次工程具有相當的特殊性。此建築曾是一座修道院，毗鄰國家紀念碑和教堂，且與教堂直接相連，自 1910 年起便是國家紀念碑。20世紀時，該修道院成為一座家庭住宅。本項目的意義超越了單純的建築工程，建築師致力於研究此屋的魅力和背景，使悠久的歷史與前瞻性的願景之間形成對話，旨在透過當代建築和城市解決方案，保護和增強其文化和精神意義。

The essence of this project lies in the reinterpretation of sacred and cultural spaces within an evolving architectural landscape. While the church remains steadfast in its purpose, the monastery has undergone numerous transformations, adapting to various uses over time. This adaptive reuse mirrors the dynamic nature of architecture, where spaces are continuously reimagined to meet contemporary needs. The delicate balance between innovation and reverence for the past ensures that each space within the complex is imbued with significance and purpose. Through this project, Álvaro Siza Vieira has crafted a space that transcends time, inviting reflection, interaction, and a deeper appreciation for the layers of history and innovation that shape our built environment.

該項目之精隨，在於從不斷發展的建築景觀中，重新詮釋神聖和文化空間。雖然與之相連的教堂始終保有原貌，但本案卻經歷多次改造，並隨著時間推移發展出各種用途。此適應性與再利用的性質，反映出建築的動態本質：空間雖不斷地重構以滿足當代需求，但各種創新皆秉持著對歷史的尊重，使新舊達到微妙平衡，藉此確保各空間皆充滿其意義和目的。設計師透過一場復興行動，打造出超越時間的場域，繼而引發反思與互動，加深人們對於建築歷史和創新層面的欣賞之情。

The open sculpture, designed by Álvaro Siza, stands as a contemporary landmark, meticulously crafted to enhance the monastery's role as a historical waypoint for pilgrims on the Portuguese Way of Santiago. This space, designed for deep introspection, features a dynamic interplay of light and form, creating an environment where the ethereal and the tangible merge. It's an ecumenical space where the gothic innovation of the Monastery is reinterpreted through the lens of modern architectural sensibilities, making light a central character in the narrative of the space.

Within this architectural sculpture lies "The Wayfarer," a poignant sculpture designed by Siza Vieira. This artwork with 1,90m in marble, serves as a reminder of the space's calling to journey and exploration, highlighting the perpetual movement and search that define our existence. Positioned in the building's external courtyard, the sculpture signifies more than a physical trek to Compostela; it symbolizes an introspective and rejuvenating journey that unfolds in the adjacent philosophical garden. In Siza's work, light is not merely an environmental factor but a sculptural element that shapes the visitor's experience. The way light shifts and animates the space throughout the day adds layers of meaning and emotion to the architectural and sculptural elements, inviting visitors to engage in a personal and communal reflection. The careful orchestration of light and shadow within the complex enhances the sense of sacredness and introspection, linking the tangible to the transcendent.

翻新後的建築形如雕塑，是一座沒有窗戶的開放式建築，同時也是當代地標，旨於增強此處作為聖地亞哥葡萄牙之路朝聖者中轉站的作用。整體空間專為深度內省而設計，透過光線和形式的動態互動，創造一個空靈與有形融合的環境，該建築的哥德式創新，亦被現代建築的視角重新詮釋，使光成為空間敘事的中心人物。

此建築中另設有一座由西扎．維埃拉設計的大理石藝術雕塑，名為「旅人」。該作品高達 1.9 公尺，其存在強調本空間對於旅行和探索的呼喚，同時加深定義人類無止盡的活動與探索。該雕塑位於建築物外部庭院，除了意味朝聖路途的長途跋涉，亦象徵著在鄰近花園中展開的宗教活動。在西札的作品中，光除了是一項環境因素，亦是塑造參觀者體驗的雕塑元素。透過光線的推移與變換，為建築和雕塑元素增添層次意義和情感，並邀請遊客進行個人和公共反思。由於該建築群的光影的經過悉心編排，因此散發出強烈的神聖感和內省感，繼而將有形與超然相連結。